Should You Buy An Xbox Series S? A Friendly Analysis of the Pros and Cons

Hey friend! With the new generation of gaming consoles now out, I know you‘ve been wondering whether to buy the cheaper Xbox Series S. I‘ve been testing and reviewing the new Xbox consoles extensively, so wanted to share an in-depth look at the key disadvantages you should keep in mind before buying the Series S. I‘ll also cover some of its benefits too, so you can make the best choice for your needs.

The Series S Offers Next-Gen Gaming on a Budget

First, what are the main selling points of the Xbox Series S? Well, at just $299 it‘s the most affordable entry point into "next-gen" gaming. You get support for new features like ray tracing, fast load times from the SSD, and frame rates up to 120 fps. The slim, all-digital design is sleek too.

For casual gamers on a budget, it delivers a big next-gen leap from old consoles like the Xbox One at a reasonable price. This makes it tempting for cost-conscious buyers. Microsoft also offers flexible Xbox All Access financing where you can pay for the Series S in installments of just $25/month with no upfront cost.

The Xbox Series S costs only $299, but has some disadvantages compared to the Series X. Image source

However, achieving that attractive low price point does come with some downsides. Let‘s dig into the key disadvantages you need to consider.

Reviewers Highlighted Notable Shortcomings

When the Series S first launched, many reviewers pointed out similar cons in their evaluations:

• Small 364GB of usable storage requires constant management
• No native 4K gaming support, maxes out at 1440p
• Disc drive is removed, digital-only
• AV setup can be tricky on some TVs
• Not as future-proof as the pricier Series X

These compromises allow the Series S to hit $299, but also result in clear drawbacks versus the premium Series X. Some issues may not bother you, but they‘re worth factoring into your decision based on your needs and expectations.

The GPU and RAM Can‘t Match the Series X

To offer lower cost hardware, Microsoft had to use a less powerful GPU and reduce the RAM in the Series S. Specifically, it has around 4 TFLOPs of power versus 12 TFLOPs in the Series X. The RAM is cut from 16GB down to 10GB.

This leads to lower performance in many games. While the Series S targets 1440p and 60+ fps, the Series X can do full native 4K at 60 fps or higher. Some titles even run at just 1080p on the Series S based on initial testing:

This pattern will likely continue – the more headroom developers have on the Series X, the harder it may be for the S to hit the same visual quality bar. Especially 4 or 5 years from now, the cheaper console could struggle with the latest releases.

The 10GB of RAM is also concerning long-term. If games demand more than 10GB, the Series S has no room to spare whereas the Series X has 16GB. This indicates the pricier Xbox should age better.

Small Internal Storage Size

Another major consequence of the lower price is just 512GB of internal SSD storage. After accounting for system files, you only get 364GB of usable space. Considering Call of Duty alone takes up over 130GB, your options are limited!

This chart shows how much less usable space the Series S provides out of the box:

You‘ll constantly have to manage what games are installed, deleting ones you aren‘t playing as often. And at $219 for the 1TB expansion card, upgrading is pricey too. Limited storage is one of the biggest headaches of owning a Series S.

No Native 4K Gaming

Another sacrifice is no native 4K gaming due to the less powerful GPU. While the Series S supports upscaling to 4K, this isn‘t as good as true native 4K rendering. Image quality is softened and artifacts introduced.

On a 1080p TV this isn‘t an issue since 1440p downscales well. But on a 4K display, the lower rendering resolution will be more obvious. You won‘t get the full visual benefit of your 4K TV without native support.

Weigh Your Priorities Carefully

As a deal-focused gamer myself, I totally get the appeal of the $299 Series S. But after testing it extensively, I don‘t feel it‘s the best choice for most gamers who can afford the Series X. You give up a lot of power, performance and future-proofing for that lower price.

However, it can be the right fit if:

• You mostly play smaller indie games
• You currently have a 1080p TV
• You don‘t need top-tier performance
• You value affordability above all else

But for hardcore gamers who want the best experience, I‘d suggest trying to stretch your budget for the Series X, especially if you game on a 4K TV. While $200 more expensive, you get a massive boost in performance and won‘t face the limitations of the Series S over time.

As a friend, I want to make sure you buy the Xbox that aligns with your budget and gaming needs so you don‘t end up disappointed! Ask yourself these key questions:

• Is the low $299 price most important? Or are you willing to pay more for better performance?
• Do you care about native 4K gaming? What TV resolution do you use?
• How large is your game library? Do you need more than 364GB of storage?
• Do you buy lots of used physical games that require a disc drive?

Consider these factors carefully based on the type of gamer you are. If the compromises don‘t bother you, the Series S delivers a lot for just $299. But for an all-around superior experience, the Series X is worth the extra money. Let me know if you have any other questions!